Monterey fire survivor receives donated power chair from Salinas family
By Jacquelyn Quinones
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MONTEREY, California (KSBW) — Janet Downing’s life was turned upside down on March 9 when a fire broke out at the Casanova apartment complex in Monterey, leaving her without access to her power chair and limiting her mobility.
A local Salinas family heard Downing’s story and decided to step in to help. Nathan Uchida said, “My grandmother passed away just a few months ago. We bought the chair for her, but unfortunately for her, she wasn’t able to use it; she passed a little sooner than we were expecting.”
The Uchida family said donating the chair is one way they hope to honor their grandmother.
“When my parents heard about the opportunity to donate it, they figured it was the only right thing to do,” Nathan Uchida said. “I’m sure she’s going through a rough patch right now, so anything we can do to help.”
Downing expressed her gratitude, saying, “I feel better now that this power chair is here, it’s so wonderful that people care.”
She is now able to move around as freely as possible in her new home with her new chair.
“The family that donated this chair are to be blessed,” Downing said.
Nathan’s mother couldn’t be present to deliver the chair, but said on behalf of her late mother’s memory, she is filled with joy to be able to gift this chair to Downing.
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